Life is all about moments … from the small instances that we don’t think twice about or the larger occurrences where we are thrown outside of our norm. Experiences that test us and push us over the edge. That edge is our comfort zone, and sometimes all we need is a little push. Swallow your fear, gather your courage (it’s already there), and take that leap of faith. Ready or not, it’s happening and the everyday adventure that we call life is upon us. This is NonaVentures, and this is living for every moment.
Before you can tell a story, you have to live it. Well, let me tell you – I LIVED AT NONA ADVENTURE PARK! The full day I spent at Nona Adventure Park was quite LITERALLY the most fun I’ve had in awhile. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit nervous – I was – but I was also filled to the brim with excitement. (I sound like a little kid, I know.) I’ve never successfully wakeboarded before and I’ve never attempted the wakeboarding cable system, only tried behind a boat. I’ve always had fears (or foreshadowing visions) that I’d just get yanked and dragged through the water on a cable – which would be kind of funny – but I’ll gladly pass on the opportunity. I’m a klutz, and I’d break something … (probably my leg) …
Naturally, the day I planned to conquer Nona Adventure Park was one of the chilliest days, a frigid 65 degrees or so. I woke up thinking it was going to be a beautiful warm day, perfect to hit the water, and instead, it was overcast and chilly and a sense of regret began to fill my head. I knew I was going in the lake, and I was going to be soaked … I mean, I’m no pro, NOT EVEN CLOSE … and I knew the water was going to be even colder than the air! I convinced myself it was worth it … and it totally was.
I swung by the Nonahood News headquarters to grab the GoPros and drove a swift two minutes to Nona Adventure Park, located right by the Orlando VA behind Laureate Park Elementary School. Convenient? I think yes! Due to the chilly weather (and it still being in the soft opening phase), the park was empty, and I was thrilled! It was like I rented the park out to have a solid party of one! Best. Party. Ever!
Climbing Tower and Ropes Course
I began my day of fun with the climbing tower and ropes course. A staggering 60-foot-tall obstacle course with several levels of difficulty to appeal to the masses (children included). I was immediately having flashbacks to my glory days at Odyssey Middle School in the Climbing Club. When I was younger, rock climbing was a HUGE passion of mine. I’ve lost touch with it since middle school, but whenever I see a rock wall, I never pass it up. I suited up in the harness and made my way up the stairs to complete the first obstacle that awaited me. The two guides who went up with me were friendly and fun and recommended I do the more challenging obstacles first rather than last. I completed the first obstacle like nothing and looked to my left. Suspended telephone poles with rock wall grips. This was a challenge I couldn’t pass up. I needed to know if I still had it. I grabbed hold of the first log and immediately realized I’m not middle school Nicole anymore and my feet barely fit on the rocks. Unwilling to give up, I took a second to analyze the situation, all while still hugging the pole. I gradually transferred myself from one pole to the next and made it to the other side! Your girl’s still got it … barely! I was exhausted! Then I felt a sudden burning sensation on my right forearm and saw a gnarly scratch from when I made the first transfer, literally bear hugging the pole so tight I scraped my arm. Guess I was too focused to notice! First battle scar of the day and I’m only two obstacles in! That’s me!
I spent a little more time attempting each obstacle as I gradually made my way up to the higher platforms. I flew on the eagle zip line, which (although short) was a lot of fun. I wish you could gain more speed! I failed at a few more obstacles and needed to be rescued … twice … but hey, nothing like a little failure to bring you back down to earth. My arms were already jelly, but I had a full day ahead of me. There was no looking back (but plenty of looking down)! I love looking down when I’m high up. Gives me that sense of adrenaline that I seek out so diligently. At the very top, I soaked in the views of the park and watched some planes fly overhead. Now it was time to jump! Anything to give my arms a break! I was hooked up to the repelling system and walked right off the platform, steadily returning to the ground. Now, it’s wakeboarding time!
Wakeboarding
It was time to trade in the climbing harness for some wakeboarding gear, and my nerves began to settle in. My arm strength was drained, but I tried to remain positive. I would learn how to wakeboard. I watched the safety video, suited up in my helmet and life vest, and grabbed my board. I stuck with the beginner board so that I could easily slip my feet in and out. That was a nice option to have. I took to the beginner cable to get the form down and as I approached the dock, I felt the water. HOLY CRAP, WAS IT COLD! I followed instructions and sat on the edge with my board in the water, soaking in the freezing cold temps around my feet. This was not going to end well … I grabbed onto the cable handle and brace. I felt the tug and immediately gave out, hitting the water. I was submerged in an ice bath. As I pulled myself back up onto the dock, I noticed Rhys recording my every fail and laughing way too much. Best boss ever!
After about four or five more attempts, I had the technique nailed, and I was coasting on the lake feeling pretty cool. Now it was time to take on the big cable, reaching speeds of 36 miles per hour. I approached hesitantly as my mind filled with every negative thought possible: You’re going to hit one of the ramps on accident, you’re going to hurt yourself, etc. After a few failed attempts, I was off and making my way around Adventure Lake. I began to approach the turn and didn’t know what to expect, but the slack the cable gave caught me off guard and then it jerked me forward again. Into the lake I went! After a long walk back to the starting point on the floating dock, I was ready to get around this lake at least once. I had to!
I let the cable pull me off the dock and I was off, determined to make it around all of the turns. I made it past the second turn and I began to hit choppy water, but there was no way I was falling on the complete opposite side from where I began! I approached the third turn and was heading toward my starting point. My back leg was burning in pain and my arms were ready to give out, but I wanted it. I flew past the dock and let out a yell of excitement as they clapped for me. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think I was going to fall right there in front of everyone, but I kept going. On to lap two! I began to hear cheers out of nowhere and saw a group of random people enjoying a picnic along the lake. They had been watching my failed attempts and were rooting for me, and that truly made my day, so thank you to those people! My legs were burning so badly that I honestly thought I was done for, but I made it almost back to the dock before both my arms and legs just gave out. A good round to end on!
Aqua Park
I entered the aqua park thinking I was going to dominate it, but I was so wrong! At this point in my journey experiencing Nona Adventure Park, it was safe to say exhausted didn’t even begin to cover it, but I still wanted more! I entered the aqua park by running down the dock and jumping into the lake. As soon as I climbed upon the inflatables, I immediately felt like I was in trouble. I could barely stand! I’m sure I looked like I was in a drunken stupor, but I couldn’t stop laughing. Rhys jumped up on the inflatables with his aqua shoes and went running past me, and I fell to the inflatable laughing. I couldn’t balance for the life of me! Rhys laughed evilly as he continued his way through the course and I was still at the starting point. As I finally stood up and maintained my balance, I began to question how they made it to the other side of the course as I struggled to get over the first obstacle. Gradually, I made my way over the varying obstacles and slipped and slid all over the place. I fell down some obstacles, I fell off some obstacles and into the lake, but it was all in good fun! When I finally made it up Mt. Rainier (the tallest feature the aqua park offers), Rhys so kindly sacrificed me to jump first. The Mt. Rainier obstacle is at least 12 feet above the water. Don’t worry, the lake is deep enough in that area to jump from that height and not even touch the bottom.
So, it’s safe to say that Nona Adventure Park will be seeing a lot of me, which makes a lot of sense saying that this is, hands down, one of the coolest locations to spend the hot summer days in Florida (or really the entire year because it is, indeed, Florida). I finally learned how to wakeboard and had one of the most physically draining yet one of the most fun days, all jam-packed into one location, practically in our backyard! Now on to my new goal of becoming a pro! Did I mention my body is covered in bruises and I was sore for almost a week?! Baby steps…
Have an experience that had adrenaline coursing through your soul? Challenge me to live YOUR moment at nicole@nonahoodnews.com or fill out our NonaVentures form at forms.nona.media/nhn-nonaventures.
